Remembering The Fab Four.....In Liverpool

From Wales our drive took us back into England where we had the opportunity to spend a few days in Liverpool. Being this close how could we not stop to remember the Fab Four, considered by many to be the greatest band of all time......The Beatles. After all it was this foursome that basically put Liverpool on the map since they were born, raised and grew to stardom in the waterfront city.

Sights Around Liverpool

 

 

Beatles Statue

Yellow Submarine Themed Boat Hotel To Rent

Our first stop was Albert Dock where we checked out, "The Beatles Story." This award winning museum features the largest permanent exhibition dedicated solely to the Beatles. A must see for anyone that's been alive for the past decade, it takes visitors through the lives, times, culture and music of the Beatles. Armed with audio headsets that described what we were seeing we learned about their rise to stardom, how they met, where they bought their first guitars and so much more. The museum has a full sized replica of The Cavern Club where they first performed, their Merseybeat office, Matthew Street, their Abbey Road recording studio, Beatlemania, the psychedelic years, a walk through the Yellow Submarine in its underwater setting, costumes, first guitars and more. Add to that music blasting and screaming fans to simulate crowd scenes to give visitors a true feeling of what life was like for the famous band.

The Stage At The Cavern Club

Wall Signed By Various Artists

Lastly the exhibit took us through the lives of each individual member of the band separately ending with John Lennon. Imagine if you will a full size re-creation of The White Room, where John and Yoko lived and worked together. Complete with a white piano, white furniture, his round glasses and the words from, "Imagine" on the wall, it created a somber ambience that left us feeling a bit emotional. Considered to be the greatest single of all time, surely none of us can imagine a life without the legacy that the Beatles left behind.

Eleanor Rigby Grave

John Lennon's Round, 14-ct. Gold, Yellow Tinted Glasses

The White Room

Several years ago we were on a Pullmantur Cruise out of Panama. Although the main language spoken on board was Spanish there was a performance by a Beatles Tribute Band one night. Even though MOST of the people on board spoke NO English, EVERYONE was singing along to the Beatles music. It made me realize that music is a common bond that has no language barrier.

Imagine.....if there was no gringo trail, could you just Let It Be? After A Hard Days Night, when you need Help or If Love Is All You Need? You Can't Buy Me Love but you can always send money to help these two silly gringos travel around the world on a Yellow Submarine. So let's Twist and Shout as we embark on a Magical Mystery Tour tomorrow.....along the gringo trail.

Terry and Clyde are able to "Travel The World House Sitting"  and so can you!  We have created a website to help people who want to learn about house sitting.    Information for both the prospective house sitter and for someone who needs a house sitter.

the New Website                          -->  CLICK HERE

How to Get Your First House Sit -->  CLICK HERE

How to find a house sitter          ---->  CLICK HERE

From The Largest Castle To The Smallest House

Our last stop in Wales was the seaside resort town of Llandudno where we enjoyed the spectacular waterfront directly from our hotel room. We can only imagine how much this town comes alive during the summer with it's pier, white sandy beaches, gondola rides and more. Located on the Creuddyn Peninsula which protrudes out into the Irish Sea, Llandudno is considered to be the Queen of the Welsh resorts.

View from our Hotel Room

Our Hotel

Castle Conwy

Damsel in Distress at the Castle

After a restful night of sleep we headed to its neighboring town of Conwy (con-wee). The impressive  wall that encircles the medieval town is the first thing that we noticed upon entering.  Yet it pales in comparison to the imposing 13th century castle that rises high above the city center. We climbed hundreds of stairs into the towers of the castle, walked along its walls and marveled at its size, splendor and beauty.

Mussel Traps

Fish Traps

Smallest House in Britain

They would not let her go in!

I was offered the opportunity to drive this
Fire Truck

From the castle we headed further into Conwy to find the "smallest house in all of Wales." The cute little red house faces the waterfront that is complete with fishing boats, nets, traps and boats. Unfortunately though the house was closed until later in the month so we did not get to see the inside.

From one of the largest castles in Europe to the smallest house in the UK as well as the pristine waterfront, North Wales was a nice stopover for us as we continue our long drive to Scotland....along the gringo trail.

Terry and Clyde are able to "Travel The World House Sitting"  and so can you!  We have created a website to help people who want to learn about house sitting.    Information for both the prospective house sitter and for someone who needs a house sitter.

the New Website                          -->  CLICK HERE

How to Get Your First House Sit -->  CLICK HERE

How to find a house sitter          ---->  CLICK HERE

The Wonders Of Wales.....

Our brief ten day stay in Wales is coming to an end soon as we wrap up yet another house sit. With 400 plus castles here and four times as many sheep as people, Wales offers visitors plenty to see. The Welsh people seemed to be friendly and welcoming, or at least we think they were since we didn't always understand what they were saying. Despite English being our first language apparently we are not quiet fluent yet. There was many a time when we literally could not figure out IF a local was speaking in the native language of Welsh, or it was English. Time after time we had to apologize for not understanding what was being said to us and ask to have it repeated.

The landscape of Wales is gorgeous with lush, green rolling hills, rugged peaks in the distance and an abundance of yellow daffodils everywhere. Rugged rows of hedges create natural fence lines to keep animals in their place but don't distract from the beauty of the countryside.

 

The Best Rainbow Ever!

Medieval castles create an imposing shadow over the villages that they once protected below. With a bit of imagination one can almost see the Princess waiting in the tower for her Knight in Shining Armor to return from battle. And nearby the bells from the church tower ring out a melodious tune to welcome all to worship.

Tintern Abbey

Chilly, Wet And Windblown

 

Look How Tiny We Look Compared To This Place

Cardiff Castle

 

Another Building Near Cardiff Castle

 

Raglan Castle

The Happy Couple At Raglan Castle

From our temporary home in Maesteg we explored a coal mine, visited plenty of castles and museums, enjoyed seafront cities and made some new friends. Wales offers some of the strangest weather we've ever seen. From sunshine to rain, sleet to snow, heavy winds to hail and then back to sunshine again within a few hours time.

The Big Pit Coal Mine

Once A Real Mine Now A Museum That Gives Tours Of The Mine

Layers Of Clothes And Suited Up To Go Down Into The Mine

 

And Clyde Too

We Are Wearing A Head Lamp, Battery Pack And Emergency Breathing Pack

City Of Swansea Waterfront

"Tan y tro nesaf," as they say in Welsh which means, "until next time," as we travel onward to our next destination house sitting.......along the gringo trail.

Terry and Clyde are able to "Travel The World House Sitting"  and so can you!  We have created a website to help people who want to learn about house sitting.    Information for both the prospective house sitter and for someone who needs a house sitter.

the New Website                          -->  CLICK HERE

How to Get Your First House Sit -->  CLICK HERE

How to find a house sitter          ---->  CLICK HERE